Pacific Herring Run Observed with Large Fishing Fleet

environment · 2019-03-15 · Fillongley and Cokley Cove, Salish Sea

On March 15, 2019, thousands of seabirds and sea lions were observed feeding on the Pacific Herring run at Fillongley and Cokley Cove. Approximately 120 fishing vessels were actively fishing roe herring, which is used primarily for fish farm feed, fertilizer, and pet food rather than local human consumption. A petition to shut down the Pacific Herring roe fishery for March 2019 failed to reach its goal.

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Sources

• “On Friday, March 15th, we got tipped off that it was all happening at Fillongley and we went to see for ourselves. Thousands of seabirds... and many sea lions... We spotted some orcas... We lost count at 120 fishing boats... The city was back... the water at Cokley Cove... started turning milky white... The boats followed... trying to squeeze that last fish from the Salish Sea into their hull.” — The Islands Grapevine – March 21st, 2019 (March 21st, 2019)

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